Records of YMCA international work in Chile

In 1909 Angus Clifton Hull was sent to Santiago, the capital and largest city of Chile, to explore the possibility of beginning an Association but a decision was made not to pursue the attempt. In 1910 while visiting Valparaiso, Chile, Charles D. Hurrey met with a group who were interested in forming a YMCA. Through them a provisional committee was formed. In 1912 the International Committee sent Frederic Christian Wurtz as secretary and in September of that year the Association was launched.

By the middle of the twentieth century Chile had three YMCAs: one in Valparaiso, founded in 1912 as stated above by Hurrey; one in Santiago, organized in 1918 by Ralph C. Scott; and one in Concepcion, begun in 1927. The YMCA in Antofagasta was founded in 1962 and extended to Iquique in 1981.

When the Valparaiso Association was founded, the membership was chiefly from the English and German communities. In June 1915, A. E. Turner arrived and was general secretary until 1933. He gave special attention to attracting Chilean young men. Various types of social work were begun by members including classes for working women and a center for homeless children. There was also a campaign to reduce illiteracy. Basketball was introduced, and by 1930 about 68 teams and 17 clubs were participating in a city-wide tournament. Under Turner, better housing conditions were obtained, visiting nurse services were started, and an anti-fly campaign was carried through. In 1938, with the deepening of the depression, Turner was retired from the staff. No North American secretary served the Valparaiso Association after that point.

The Santiago Association had a long struggle. The city was a major student center and the Association was first formed there to serve solely this group, but soon expanded beyond it. Hugo Grassi devoted some months to inaugurating the physical department; he was followed by another Uruguayan. A succession of North American also secretaries helped. In 1926 there were about 800 members, and in 1947 the boys work was so successful that the Government gave it financial assistance.

The Concepcion Association had almost no assistance from North America and, except briefly, was carried on entirely with South American secretaries.

As of 1952, the local YMCAs were coordinated by the Chilean Federation with its office located in Valparaiso. In the early 2000s the Chilean movement reached 12,000 members, with Santiago making up 30% of Chile's participants. The principal programs were related to physical education, sports, camps, schools, recreation, and community work.

The following is a list of individuals who served as YMCA secretaries in Chile, along with their dates of service.